Happy Friday from #OneUtah, a weekly update from the office of Governor Spencer J. Cox. Here’s your recap of what we did this week, what's on the horizon, and more.

Happy New Year, Utah!

2023 is looking bright, Utah! We’re excited for another year of working to improve our state and the lives of Utahns. On the docket for this year is a proposed FY 2024 budget that proposes historic tax cuts, education funding, water conservation efforts, infrastructure projects, funding for domestic violence prevention and so much more. We also look forward to meeting with more Utahns this year and visiting towns, cities and counties across the state. 

2023 holds tremendous promise for our state. As always, let us know how we can work together to keep Utah strong.

Symposium on social media and youth mental health

As rates of depression, anxiety and self-harm continue to rise among our youth, the research shows these behaviors can be linked with social media use. As parents, teachers, government and society, we must do more to protect our children and grandchildren. 

Next Tuesday, we’re convening experts, legislators and stakeholders to talk about public health trends, how parents and teens can engage with social media in healthy ways and how government can hold social media companies more accountable. We’re especially privileged to have Dr. Brad Wilcox, a sociology professor and director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia and a senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies as well as the American Enterprise Institute, share his expertise and recommendations.

Please tune in to a livestream of this Social Media and Youth Mental Health Symposium on Tuesday, Jan. 10 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/govcox.

Utah turns 127

On Jan. 4, 1896, Utahns took to the streets in jubilation. That morning, after nearly 50 years of failed attempts, President Grover Cleveland proclaimed Utah the 45th state in the Union.

Celebrations erupted in every corner of the Beehive State. “Utahns awoke that Monday morning to a din surpassing anything they had heard before,” according to the Utah Historical Quarterly. “Guns, whistles, and bells of every variety challenged anvils, dynamite, yelling, singing, drums, and bands for two hours and then intermittently throughout the day. […] A reporter labeled it "hilarious pandemonium” […] as people thronged to the streets on a clear, cold, sunny day to join the festivities.”

While we kept the pandemonium to a minimum on Wednesday, we proudly celebrated 127 years of statehood. You can read more about this historic merrymaking in the Utah Historical Quarterly.

We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful state. Watch the lieutenant governor’s video on Statehood Day here.

Stay safe, Utah

New data show we can do better when it comes to road safety. According tohe Utah Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety, 320 lives were lost on Utah roads in 2022. While this is an overall decrease from 2021, we saw an increase in pedestrian fatalities (53),bicyclist fatalities (15) and motorcyclist fatalities (50). UDOT and DPS have also seen a rise in risky behaviors such as aggressive driving that result in fatal crashes. 

Here are some back-to-basics tips for all road users: 

• Buckle up. No matter the distance, weather, vehicle, or time of day. 
• Watch your speed and abide by the speed limit when road conditions are good. When the roads get wet, snow, or icy, adjust your speed to a safe speed that will help you to maintain control.
• Use your blinker every time you make a turn or change lanes. 
• Review the rules of the road, like zipper merges and proper railroad crossing. The signal to cross a railroad safely is when the lights stop flashing, not the raised barriers. 
• Give semi-trucks space: two headlights in the rearview mirror or stay clear. 

• Parents – teach kids safe pedestrian habits, like wearing reflective gear and choosing a safe route to school.
• Drivers – make a special effort to completely stop and look at intersections. Twelve children (ages 0-9) were killed on Utah roads last year. 

Visit https://zerofatalities.com/ to access resources for safe road habits. With your help, we can improve road safety and reduce fatalities for 2023. Stay safe, Utah!

Spotlight: Governor’s Award for Excellence

Each week we are highlighting a state employee who was recently awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence. This week we are recognizing Raechel Lizon with the Board of Pardons and Parole.

Raechel Lizon serves as the primary resource and liaison in the Board’s historic and monumental electronic records development system. This is the largest single project in the board’s history, and it is essential for the Board’s future success. Upon completion, paper files will no longer be necessary, and the most critical board operational processes will be accomplished in the new system. Every week, Raechel provides the board with key data that facilitates improved and more precise understanding of positive and negative patterns and trends. The true impact extends beyond the board. With data from the system, combined with Raechel’s research skills, information about the board and its operations is now being shared with policy makers, justice system stakeholders, and the citizens of Utah through a publicly available, online dashboard. Raechel is a tremendous asset to the Board and to our state.

Keep up the great work, Raechel! To read more about the Governor’s Awards for Excellence, click here.

Utah: The Greatest Snow on Earth

Ski season is here, Utah! Utah is home to 15 ski resorts that locals and tourists alike enjoy each winter. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Utah skiing has something for everyone. Remember to dress warm, check conditions at your preferred ski resort before you head up and if you’re headed into the backcountry, don’t forget your gear and check avalanche conditions before you set out. Enjoy the greatest snow on earth this winter!

ICYMI

• In December, we released our proposed FY 24 budget. You can read through our full budget announcement here. 
• 2022 was a great year for our state. You can read some highlights here. 
• It’s cold and flu season! Click here to see where you can get your flu shot. 
• Ever wanted to learn the history of the historic Kearns mansion? Click here to learn more, and here for information on how to tour the mansion.

Coming up

• Jan. 10: We look forward to speaking at the Utah Taxpayers Association meeting. 
• Jan. 10: We will host a Social Media and Youth Mental Health Symposium. Tune in here: https://www.youtube.com/govcox. 
• Jan. 10: Lt. Gov. Henderson will attend the Navajo Nation inauguration in Window Rock, Arizona.
• Jan. 11: We will speak at the J. Reuben Clark Law Society Continuing education conference. 
• Jan. 12: Lt. Gov. Henderson will attend the swearing in ceremony for members of the Utah State Board of Education.
• Jan. 16: Utah observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Our offices will be closed.
• Jan. 17: The 2023 General Legislative Session begins.
• Jan. 19: We will deliver our 2023 State of the State address to the people of Utah. Stay tuned for details!

Get involved!

Looking for a new job opportunity? From great employee benefits to versatile work schedules, the career opportunities with the state are truly endless. Join Team Utah today! 

Those looking to volunteer can also consider more than 300 boards and commissions. Find out which openings are available and how you can get involved here!

Get in touch!

You can reach the Governor's Office here. And you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and  YouTube for the latest news and updates.

Contact the Governor's Office